Switch operating and controlling mechanism



June 16, 1931. w. K. RANKIN 1,810,624

SWITCH OPERATING AND CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 15, 1925 Jami/ch Open.

Inventor WLLLLam K.R qnki.n, klY M HLS Attor'hgy.

Patented June .16, 1931 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM K. RANKIN,

OF SCOTIA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SWITCH OPERATING AND (1OIQPIROLIZJJIN(:1 MECHANISM Application filed October 15, 1925. Serial m. 62,642.

My invention relates to electric switches and particularly to the operating and controlling mechanism for switches of relatively large proportions which are adapted to control high potential, large capacity circuits. One object oflzmy invention is the provision of an improved trip-free switch operating mechanism, one feature of the mechanism being that the reaction of the switch on the mechanism supplies the force by which the latching mechanism is moved to release position.

Another object is the provision of an improved trip-free switch operating mechanism 15 in which the relatively sensitive latching means which controls the tripping of the mechanism is mounted in such a manner that it is substantially free from jars incident to the operation of the operating mechanism. My invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the'. accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevations partly in section of a switch operating mechanism involving my invention, Fig. 1 showing the mechanism in closed circuitposition, and Fig. 2 showing it 30 in open circuit position.

As this mechanism is particularly adapted for the operation and control of switches of relatively large capacity and hence of massive construction I have shown the mecha- 35 nism as solenoid operated. However, other power'actuating means may be employed if desired and in case of an emergency, a hand operated means also may be used. The base plate or supporting frame 1 supports the sole- 40 noid core structure 2 and forms a part of the magnetic circuit thereof. Within the core is the winding 3 and the plunger 4 from the top of which the rod 5 having the nut 6 extends up through the core. Two similar lugs 4 8 depend from the base 1 by which the various levers and links forming the mechanism are supported. The shoulders 9 on the lugs 8 form the bottom stop for the plunger and the central portion 10 of. the core on which is a non-magnetic disk 11 forms the upper stop for the plunger.

The main switch lever or switch operating member 12 extends between and is pivoted to the lugs 8 at 13. Pivoted to and extending upwardly from the left hand end of the main lever 12 is the rod 14 through which operative connection is made with the switch (not shown). The switch may, for example, be similar to that shown in the patent to- Hentschel No. 957,335, May 10, 1910, in which the rod 11 corresponds with the rod 14 of the present case. Bell crank lever 15 pivoted at 16 to the lugs 8 has double downwardlyextending arms 17 to which is pivoted the floating lever 18. This lever is double and between the two halves at one end is the roller 19 which engages the upper face 20 of lever 12. To the opposite end of floating lever 18 is pivoted link 21 which pivotally connects with the plunger l. Toggle links 23 and 24 forming a restraining device or toggle connect the same end of. the floating lever 18 with laterally projecting ears25 on the lugs 8. Links 24 are provided with stop pins 26 which engage the lugs 8 when the mechanism reaches the closed circuit position shown by Fig. 1. In this position it will be noted that the toggle is slightly over-set. It is of course understood that the links 21, 23 and 24 are each double, being duplicated on each side of the main'lever 12. The bell crank 15 has a single arm extending to the right to which is 'pivoted'a retaining means of relatively light construction comprising the underset toggle links 28 and 29. To the common point 30 of these links is attached the latching device comprising the toggle links 31 and 32, also light and sensitive, which in the over-set po- Elli latching device are mounted on the support 3%, shown as a part of the frame 1. By thus mounting the latching device separately and independently oi? the switch operating mechanism the parts thereof are not moved when the mechanism operates to close the switch and hence are not liable to be thrown to release position by jars incident to the closing movement of the mechanism.

An electroresponsive device comprising the solenoid 35 and the plunger 36 is adapted cause the release of the aforesaid latching d vice upon the occurrence of a predetermined circuit condition, as for example an over" load. Trip lever 37 engagin plunger 36 is provided for manual tr ipping the mechanism. For the operation of the mechanism by hand to close the switch, which may become necessary in an emergency, any suitable device may be applied to the od 5 beneath the nut 6 by which necessary force can be exerted on the rod.

the closed circuit position of the rat-us, as illustrated in Fig. l, ve force of the switch is transmitted through the main operating lever 12, roller 19, tloating lever 18 to the toggle links 23 and 24. These links also sustain the weight at the plunger. 'lhe upper face 20- o'l lever 12 has an inclination such that the roller 19 tends to roll or be cammed 0d the end of the lever 12 and move the toggle links 23 and 2t from the present over-set position to an under-set position. Movement of the roller 19 and floating lever 18 to the ri ht however is prevented by the bell crank 15 and the electroresponsive toggle mechanism connected therewith. Upon the actuation of the plunger 36, to gle links 31 and 32 are pushed over center re easing toggle links 28 and 29 and permitting bell crank 15 to rock in a counterclockwise direction. Roller 19 there upon is cammed off and rolls over the end out lever 12 releasing it and the switch connected therewith. Floating lever 18 has thereby been moved a suficient distance to the right to cause the toggle links 23 and 2t to release the plunger 4 whereupon it drops against the stop 9 and rocks the floating lever 18 counter clockwise. The roller 19 is thus returned over the end of the main lever and by reason of the Weight of the bell crank and the links 28 and 29 is restored to the position shown in Fig. 2. By this same movement toggle links 28 and 29 and toggle links 31 and 32 are also restored.

When the switch is to be reclosed the sole- "ii'oid is energized and upward movement of the plunger 4 is transmitted through links 21,

:tsiaoaa therewith. Should there occur during the closing operation an overload or short circuit for example tor which the device 35, 36 is set to respond, the floating lever 18 is immediately released, the roller 19 rolling over the end of the main lever 12 as already described. The mechanism thus is tripped tree.

An important feature of my invention is the provision of means whereby the reactive force oi": the switch supplies the force by which the holding latch is moved to release position. A large and heavy switch requires not only a considerable force to close but a force scarcely less to hold it closed. The restraining means which in the present instance comprise the links 23 and 2% must th refore be relatively large and heavy. the mechanism above described a fraction of the reactive force of the switch is made use of to move the restraining means to release posi time while a comparatively light and sens' 1... tive latching device is used to control the restraining means. ln thearrangeinent disclosed the restraining means also opposes weight of the solenoid plunger thus further relieving the light and sensitive control latch.

While 1 have described only one embodiment of my invention, ll do not wish to be limited to the particular form shown and described as it will be apparent that many modifications therein may be made without departing from the scope o'l my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

W hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is I 1. Switch operating and controllingmechanism comprising a switch operating memher, a restraining device "for holding the member in operated'position, said restraining device being disengageably related to said switch operating member, a latching device "for controlling said restraining device, and means operated by the reaction of the switch on the operating member for moving said restraining device from a restraining to a releasing ppsition in response to actuation of said latching device.

2. Switch operating and controlling mechanism comprising a switch operating member, a restraining device for holding the member in operated position, said restrainin device being disenga eably related to said switch operating mem er, latching means for said restraining device, and means coacting with said restraining device whereby the reactive force of the switch on the operating member tends to move said device from a holding position to releasing position in response to actuation of said late in means.

3. Switch operating and control ing mechanism comprising a lever, means for operating the lever, a restraining device for bolding the lever in operated position, said device being released by longitudinal movement of the lever, means whereby the reaction of the switch on the lever tends to move it longitudinally, and an electroresponsive device for controlling the longitudinal movement of the lever. r

4. Switch operating and controlling mechanism comprising a switch operating memher, afloating lever operatively connected therewith, the connection tending to cause longitudinal movement of the lever, means for operating the lever, a restraining device for the lever arranged to be released by longitudinal movement of the lever, and an electroresponsive device for controlling said movement of the lever.

5. Switch operating and controlling mechanism comprising a switch operating member having an inclined face, a floating lever arranged to engage said inclined face, a solenoid operatively connected with the floating lever, a toggle device adapted to hold the floating lever in operated position when overset and to buckle when the floating lever moves longitudinally, a movable support for the floating lever and an electroresponsive device connected with the movablesupport.

6. In combination, a 'supporting.fra'1ne, having mounted thereon a switch operating mechanism, a restraining device disengageably related to said operating mechanism, and a relatively sensitive latching device operatively related to said restraining device and arranged'to initially control the release of the switch operating mechanism, said latching device being se arately carried by said supporting frame w ereby it is substantially freed from jars incident to the operation of the switch operating mechanism.

'7. Switch operating and controlling mechf anism comprising an operating member, a restraining device for holding the member in operated position, latching means for controlling the restraining position of said device, andmeans for transmitting the reactive force of the switch from the operating member to said restraining device to cause it to move to its releasing position in response to actuation of said latching means.

8. Switch operating and controlling mechanism comprising an operating member, toggle mechanism for restraining the member in operated position, and a member disengageably related to said operating member \responsive to electromagnetic means for controlling the restraining position of said toggle mechanism, said members adapted to transmit the reactive force of the switch in response to actuation of said electromagnetic means from the operating ,member to said toggle mechanism to cause it to collapse and to thereby efi'ect release of said operating member.

9. Switch operating and controlling mechanism comprising an operating member, toggle mechanism for restraining the member in operated position, a floating lever operatively connected to said toggle mechanism, and a mechanism comprising an operatin memand controlling I ber, toggle mechanism for restrainmg'the member in operated position, a lever having an operative connection with said toggle mechanism and a cammmg connection wlth,

said operating member, and electrores n- 'sive means adapted to control the initial movement of said lever for causin movement of the toggle mechanism towar releasing position, said operating member thereupon transmitting the reactive force of thB SWItCh to the toggle mechanism through said camming connection to complete the aforesaid releasin movement.

l1. mechanism comprising an operatin member, toggle mechanism for restraining the member in operated position, a floatingly mounted member operatively connected to said toggle mechanism and having a camming connection with said operating member, and electroresponsive means adapted to cause bodily movement of the floating member for effecting initial releasin movement of said toggle mechanism, sai operating member adapted to transmit the reactive force of said switch through said camming connection to said toggle mechanism to complete said releasing movement.

12. Switch operating and controlling mechanism comprising an operating member, power actuating means, a. floating member operatively connected to said power actuating means and disengageabl connected to said operating member for e 'ecting closing movement thereof, toggle mechanism connected to said floating member for restraining said operating member in its closed position, and electroresponsive means adapted to effect bodily movement of said floating member for causing initial releasing movement of said toggle mechanism, completion of said releasing movement being efl'ected by the reactive force of the switch acting through said. operating arm and floating member.

13. Switch operating and controlling mechanism comprising an operating member, solenoid actuating means for efiecting switch closing movement of said member, a lever operatively related to said solenoid actuating means and operating member for transmittin switch closing movement to said member, sald lever having a floating pivot witch operating and controlling antenna 

